FMP Week 4

Week 4 of my Final major project I began by researching into the palm island in Dubai. I researched into this because I was interested in how it was processed using only sand and rocks. I found this to be extremely clever and amazing to how it was actually formed. This therefore inspired me to create further pier designs. At first I found it really difficult to think about creating something different that would work but after some experimentation of rough sketches I was able to form some pier ideas. From this, I began to create my pier designs from my drawings. I was able to include triangular shapes in my design, which was something I wanted to include from week 1 of research. I then merged my ideas together, which turned out to work really well as an idea as I was combining two ideas into one. I am really pleased with my progress in regards to my pier designs so far and am content to stay with the design I had formed together however, adjust some changes to it. Later on during the week I researched into underwater hotels held in Dubai to see how it actually works underwater. I found this really interesting and new to have as an apartment/holiday house design. However, instead of turning my houses into being underwater I have an idea to have a room that contains a pathway leading into the sea from the apartment/holiday house or even a swimming pool linked onto the pier where you can dive off from into the sea. This is an idea I wish to pursue, however depending on how quickly I progress through out depends if I can test this idea. According to my action plan I am up to date with my work. However, I still need to include some more designs and begin to use Illustrator to draw up my design to be laser cut as another test model. Overall, I found this week to be my least strongest in regards to my process through this project however, I still feel confident enough to pursue an amazing design at the end. Next week I will need to carry out more designs using the laser cut and record my process into my sketchbook. Hopefully I'll be able to get back onto track and follow my targets more to date. I am looking forward to start next week as it is another step ahead to begin my model. 

Figure 1: Pier design using shapes (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 2: Combined Pier designs (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 3: Overall design (Authors own, 2014)

FMP Week 3

Week 3 of my final major project I decided to start off by following one of my perspective drawings and transforming this through a model. I was really excited to do this as it felt to be my first proper test model and I believe turned out to be a success.  In addition to following my perspective drawing I also improvised by further adding to the design. From this, it began to look even better and was really interesting to see my design form together and made me want to continue to it even more. I took various photos of the stages of completing this model to show my progress throughout and how I had continued to improve my structure even more. I added in a see-through plastic material to the windows to indicate where there was glass on the model as that’s a material I definitely would be using in my design. After photographing my final design of the model I wanted to still adapt to the model more and play around with the design, so I decided to play around with a map of Europe and add this to the model. I started of with weaving in the map material together and cutting into the map to form some curvy shapes. I then added this to my model, so the exterior of the model had a map design of Europe on it, which is where the house is based. I then moved onto looking into exterior and interior house designs in hot countries. Looking at the usual designs, unusual designs, trying to form some ideas from these images for my finalised design. I felt that this actually helped a lot because I was researching more into depth about designs of holiday houses and what kind of shapes to consider. However, I have not yet sketched up any further ideas in my sketchbook, as I am still adapting to these ideas more for next week. Finally, I finished the week by continuing with some pier designs, not drawing out the obvious shapes, doing something completely different and new relating to the sea. It was becoming stressful realising I had two models to complete at the end but was also excited to further research into my next model design. My next step would be to do some test models from these designs to see the outcome and further more develop some ideas. I feel that this week I could have completed more towards my project and worked on my timing some more in regards to my action plan. However, I still feel I have made significant progress throughout and am really happy with my drawings I have made so far. 

Figure 1: Perspective Drawing 1, (Authors Own, 2014)

Figure 2: Perspective Drawing 2, (Authors Own, 2014)

Figure 3: First proper test model in process, (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 4: Final design complete before adding maps in, (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 5: Final Design, (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 6: Final Model, (Authors Own, 2014)

FMP Week 2

Week 2 of my Final Major project I have finally gathered together the majority of my research for my project. I then decided to do some test ideas and play around with a variety of materials and do some drawings to form some sort of idea as to how I want my apartment/house to look. To begin, I started doing some trial and error sketches of ideas using different types of materials.  At first I was struggling a little to form a good structured piece, as I wasn't entirely sure how I wanted it to look. I felt at this point I needed to carry out more research in regards to how I wanted to structure my piece. Nevertheless, it still helped me realise more specifically what I wanted to create. I then built 3 test models from my initial designs, which didn’t entirely relate to an apartment feature at all but gave me a better idea as to what I wanted to create. I ended up with a variety of 3D shapes rather than a structured building. However, I still enjoyed the process of experimenting with different types of shapes. Overall, it made me think a lot more in depth as to how precise I must be with my designs.

From this, I began to play around with triangular shapes from cardboard, as I wasn't being specific with a particular measurement. I then formed an unusual roof top/flooring created from triangles being puzzled together. I really enjoyed doing this as it was like I was discovering a new design through experimenting and not through an idea; therefore, overall I am content with that design. Later on during the week, I then looked into Frank Gehry's work and all the designs he has made. I found this really interesting to look at as his work covers unusual and unnatural appearing designs. I looked through some books written about him and discovered that he forms a new design to make a structure through scribbling lines onto a piece of paper and from this would create the most outstanding design.  I decided to follow his technique and try out scribbling on paper to then form something completely different. For me I liked the experimentation but wouldn't personally use this myself and it may not always create something you imaged.

 On Thursday of the week, we was paired up with students from fashion to make a 3D garment together and process our different ideas together. Again, all together we used triangles with a foam material to produce a neckpiece garment followed by a cape to model. At first once we was linked together with fashion as a group we was all confused as to what we would design. We all thought together that we couldn’t possibly produce something to satisfy everyone’s project. We began by drawing out various designs and ideas to make a 3D building such as, tower bridge and have this bridge over someone’s head as a shoulder and head piece. After this, our idea kept rapidly changing within minutes so as a group we decided to return back to a neck garment using triangular shapes. Overall, we were pleased at the end of the day, as we all liked the foam material we used and the additional cape with the modeling. The fashion show catwalk was really exciting to watch at the end of our day as we could see the progress everyone had made together, and was a fun experience cheering on our friends when modeling the catwalk. It was a fun experiment with the fashion students and actually gave me further ideas with my project when taking into consideration fashion designs.

At the end of week 2 I thought carefully about my designs and drew out some rough sketches as to how I wanted my apartment/house to appear. I then finalized these sketches into perspective drawings to get a more professional look on my creative designs. I am happy I did these drawings as it will help me with my model designs and has made me think in a more professional matter.

Figure 1: Test model through experimentation, (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 2: Test model through experimentation, (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 3: Test idea (Authors own, 2014)

Figure 4: Model (Authors own, 2014)